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Related Concept Videos

Toxic Reactions: Overview01:26

Toxic Reactions: Overview

1.1K
When toxic substances penetrate the human body, they disseminate to various tissues, undergoing metabolic changes. This process yields reactive metabolites that may covalently bind with specific target molecules, resulting in toxicity.
Toxicity falls into two primary categories: local and systemic.
Local toxicity appears at the exposure site, such as protein denaturation caused by caustic substances.
In contrast, systemic toxicity requires the toxic agent's absorption and distribution,...
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Local Anesthetics: Adverse Effects01:12

Local Anesthetics: Adverse Effects

478
While local anesthetics are generally safe and well-tolerated, they can occasionally cause adverse effects that vary in severity. Local anesthetics can induce toxicity at two distinct levels. They can either produce local effects through direct contact with the neural elements or be absorbed into the bloodstream from the injection site, leading to systemic effects.
Once absorbed into the systemic circulation, local anesthetics can affect the organs that depend on the functioning of sodium...
478
Prevention of Further Absorption of Poison01:14

Prevention of Further Absorption of Poison

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In cases of acute poisoning, the primary objective is to prevent further absorption of the toxic substance into the body. Immediate interventions using various decontamination techniques targeting the gastrointestinal (GI) tract can achieve this. Decontamination is crucial to prevent poison from entering the systemic circulation, which involves washing affected areas with water and mild soap and removing contaminated clothing. Once external decontamination is done, attention must be turned to...
898
Anticholinesterase Agents: Poisoning and Treatment01:26

Anticholinesterase Agents: Poisoning and Treatment

960
Anticholinesterases, also known as cholinesterase inhibitors, work by blocking the breakdown of acetylcholine, leading to its accumulation in the synaptic cleft. This accumulation indirectly enhances both muscarinic and nicotinic actions. These agents are classified as reversible or irreversible based on their mechanism of action.     
Irreversible agents form a strong bond with the cholinesterase enzyme, making it inactive. The breakdown of the phosphorylated enzyme is...
960
Neurochemical Transmission: Sites of Drug Action01:26

Neurochemical Transmission: Sites of Drug Action

2.6K
Neurochemical transmission, the conduction of electrical impulses between neurons mediated by neurotransmitters, plays a vital role in various physiological processes. Autonomic drugs exert their effects by modulating neurotransmission within the autonomic nervous system. For instance, drugs such as hemicholinium block the precursor uptake necessary for synthesizing acetylcholine, an essential autonomic neurotransmitter. Following synthesis, neurotransmitters are stored in vesicles. Metyrosine...
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Local Anesthetics: Differential Sensitivity of Nerve Fibers01:24

Local Anesthetics: Differential Sensitivity of Nerve Fibers

901
Local anesthetics (LAs) block the sodium channels of nerve trunks, sensory nerve endings, and neuromuscular junctions. Although LAs can block all kinds of nerves, the sensitivity of nerve fibers differs according to nerve types and structures. LAs are known to block myelinated fibers faster than unmyelinated ones. Also, they block pain or sensory neurons at low concentrations without affecting the motor neurons involved in muscle contractions. This helps relieve labor pain without affecting the...
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Updated: Aug 12, 2025

Nerve Excitability Assessment in Chemotherapy-induced Neurotoxicity
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Nerve Excitability Assessment in Chemotherapy-induced Neurotoxicity

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Toxic neuropathies: a practical approach.

Duncan Smyth1, Caroline Kramarz2, Aisling S Carr2

  • 1MRC Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, UK duncan.smyth@nhs.net.

Practical Neurology
|January 25, 2023
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Toxic neuropathies, caused by external substances, damage peripheral nerves. Early identification and toxin removal improve outcomes, with most cases being axonal and sensory-predominant.

Keywords:
CLINICAL NEUROLOGYNEUROONCOLOGYNEUROPATHYNEUROPHYSIOLOGYNEUROTOXICOLOGY

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Last Updated: Aug 12, 2025

Nerve Excitability Assessment in Chemotherapy-induced Neurotoxicity
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Establishing a Mouse Model of a Pure Small Fiber Neuropathy with the Ultrapotent Agonist of Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid Type 1
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Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Toxicology
  • Peripheral Nervous System Disorders

Background:

  • Toxic neuropathies arise from exposure to various exogenous substances, including medications, heavy metals, and industrial agents.
  • These conditions affect the peripheral nerves, leading to diverse clinical presentations and neurological deficits.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To outline a clinical approach for diagnosing and managing toxic neuropathies.
  • To discuss the major causes, clinical features, and neurophysiological characteristics of toxic neuropathies.
  • To provide an update on emerging causes, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors and BRAF/MEK inhibitors.

Main Methods:

  • Review of clinical approaches to toxic neuropathies.
  • Discussion of major causative agents and their associated neuropathy phenotypes.
  • Emphasis on clinical and neurophysiological diagnostic features.
  • Inclusion of recent literature on drug-induced neuropathies.

Main Results:

  • Most toxic neuropathies are axonal, length-dependent, and sensory-predominant, though motor involvement and acute presentations occur.
  • Timely recognition and removal of the causative toxin are crucial for improving or stabilizing nerve function.
  • Newer medications like immune checkpoint inhibitors and BRAF/MEK inhibitors are identified as potential causes.

Conclusions:

  • Prompt diagnosis and management of toxic neuropathies by identifying and removing the offending agent are key to better patient outcomes.
  • Understanding the diverse phenotypes and emerging causes is essential for effective clinical practice.
  • This review provides a comprehensive overview for clinicians managing patients with suspected toxic neuropathies.